The whole movie revolves around the classic Thanksgiving chaos of bringing family together from different places and lifestyles. In Son in Law, Rebecca brings her wildly out-of-place college friend Crawl home to meet her very traditional family in South Dakota. The moment Crawl arrives, the culture clash begins: her conservative, small-town parents meet this big-city, surfer-style oddball, leading to plenty of tension and misunderstandings. That clash of personalities and values feels just like a Thanksgiving dinner, where everyone’s a little different, trying to navigate each other in the most awkward and entertaining ways.

Unlike many films that only mention Thanksgiving in passing, this one makes it a central part of the story. Rebecca invites Crawl home to keep him from spending the holiday alone, and the Thanksgiving dinner becomes a pivotal scene where personalities collide, bonds start to form, and everyone realizes they might have a little more to learn from each other than they thought. The holiday itself drives the plot and allows Thanksgiving to shine in a way that’s both funny and unexpectedly touching.

If Thanksgiving has a message, it’s about gratitude and acceptance, and Son in Law delivers on this in the funniest way. At first, Crawl seems totally out of place, but as he spends time with each family member, they begin to see him in a different light. By the end, they realize that his quirks make him genuine and maybe even lovable. It embodies that classic Thanksgiving spirit of seeing the good in people and appreciating them for who they are, even if they’re not what you’re used to.

There’s also a wonderful sense of nostalgia about Son in Law that takes you back to the ‘90s. From the fashion to the lingo, it’s a perfect throwback. Watching it after a big Thanksgiving meal, cozy on the couch with family, brings back that warm feeling of a simpler, funnier time.

Thanksgiving often brings unexpected guests, and Crawl is the ultimate surprise. Watching him—a California party dude—try to navigate farm life and strict family rules is pure comedy, and he manages to bring out the best in everyone. There’s something universal about his fish-out-of-water situation: he’s out of place, but he still finds a way to connect with the family. By the end, you can’t help but root for him, and he shows that even the most unconventional guests have something to offer.

Thanksgiving doesn’t need heavy drama; it calls for something lighthearted. Son in Law doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s why it’s the perfect Thanksgiving movie. It’s easy to watch with the whole family, it’ll get everyone laughing, and there’s just enough heart in it to make you feel that warm, fuzzy Thanksgiving spirit. Somehow, this underrated comedy captures the mix of craziness and togetherness that makes Thanksgiving feel like home.

So, if you’re looking for a holiday movie that brings the laughs, nostalgia, and a whole lot of Thanksgiving spirit, Son in Law is the hidden gem you didn’t know you needed.